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Having vibrantly white teeth is essential for a perfect smile and no matter what smile you parade, it always looks better whiter. People go to great effort taking care of their teeth. They brush, floss and have regular dental check ups. Often people fail to realize that the food that we eat can be the cause of discoloured teeth. Most people understand the regular culprits such as coffee and tea tannins or acidic soft-drinks, but don’t look at the food they eat as causes for their less than lustrous fangs. Here we look at some of the common foods that lead to stained teeth.

1. Citrus & VinegarLemons, mandarins and oranges have many health benefits. They are rich with vitamins and antioxidants, are a good source of fibre and have cancer fighting properties. A squeeze of lemon in water is an ancient remedy to support digestion and there is nothing that quenches thirst quite as well as a juicy orange on a hot day. But these citrus fruits which have been heralded as the ultimate healthy fruit are disastrous for tooth enamel. Cider vinegar lowers blood sugar and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The acid content of citrus foods & vinegars erodes the top enamel layer of the teeth exposing the yellow coloured dentin below the surface. If you’re looking to improve your smile’s shine we’re not saying give up your citrus fruits and cider vinegar for good, but if whiter teeth is the goal, reducing the amount you consume and buffering the acidity with water could be key.

2. WineAs it turns out, sipping on a Chardonnay can also steal some of the white away from your smile. New York University researchers suggests that the lighter type of vino may make tooth stains darker. So while it doesn't actually cause the stains, its acid content creates little pockets on the surface of the tooth that allow other beverages to seep in deeper, the study's researchers explain. Still, red wine continues to beat out white wine when it comes to tooth staining thanks to the highly-pigmented substance known as Chromogen. So wine lovers the best way to prevent wine stained teeth is to use a toothpaste that contains a whitening agent. Alternatively, add some cheese to raise pH levels and slash the risk of cavities for good measure.

3. CurryIt stains your cookware and your countertops, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that it stains your teeth too. The property in curry that causes the stain is called a yellow molecule called curcumin which is found in turmeric. Turmeric has such powerful staining properties that it is often used to dye fabric as it bonds well to cotton and other fibers. These same binding properties are the reason why your smile will probably exhibit a yellow tinge after downing a plate of Tikka Masala. If you don’t want to avoid eating curry all together make sure to brush your teeth immediately after eating to scrub away any of that excess yellow and prevent staining.

4. Blueberries, Blackberries & PomegranatesBlueberries are a super food associated with fighting off heart disease, lowering cholesterol and boosting the immune system. These anti-oxidant packed little berries have been named as one of the world’s healthiest foods. Blackberries, along with blueberries and pomegranates, although miraculous for health are one of the biggest stain producing foods on the planet. These richly pigmented berries cast a dark shade on tooth enamel dimming the light of your pearly whites. A good rule of thumb is if a food casts hard-to-remove stains on your clothes it will likely do the same thing to your teeth. Those seeking a naturally white smile may want to limit their intake of dark berries, and go strawberries and high-fibre fruits like apples and pears instead.

5. SugarSugar is a well recognized culprit of teeth staining and unlike the foods above, has no real health benefits to garnish. Bacteria loves the sugar that latches onto your teeth after enjoying a cookie, chocolate bar or cake and this is where the problem starts. The bacteria on your teeth begins producing an acid that dissolves the tooth enamel and leads to dental decay. We all know what happens after this. Darkened teeth, cavities, bad breath and periodontal disease or gingivitis. To keep the mouth flora healthy, the teeth white and the breath smelling optimal, avoid sugar all together. Not only is sugar bad for the teeth it also causes heart disease, obesity and cancer.If your teeth are losing their lustre don’t fret. The discolouration of teeth is a normal part of life as we get older and expose our teeth to different foods and drinks, not to mention antibiotic staining, excess fluoride exposure, nerve degeneration and more. Luckily there are treatments that can dramatically return your teeth back to their natural shiny white state. At Smile Care Dental Studio we offer state-of-the-art teeth whitening solutions which reverse the discolouration of enamel. We have found effective ways to whiten teeth, providing beautiful and lasting results for our patients. If you desire a whiter more vibrant smile, contact Smile Care Dental Studio today, we can help!

Everyone wants to have a great smile which is why good oral hygiene is important! Having poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems in the future such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.

Here is a list of 10 Dental hygiene steps you can take to promote great oral hygiene.

1. Proper BrushingOne of the easiest steps to do to help your teeth keep clean. When brushing your teeth, position the bristles at an angle of 45 degrees near the gum line. Both the gum line and the tooth surface should be in contact with the bristles. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth using a back-and-forth, up-and-down motion, making sure to be done gently in order to avoid bleeding. To clean the inside surfaces of the teeth and gums, place the bristles at a 45-degree angle again and repeat the back-and-forth, up-and-down motion. Lastly, brush the surfaces of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria, which might cause bad breath.Try to brush at least twice a day to prevent acid buildup from the breakdown of food by bacteria. However, if your work or activities prevent you from doing this, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after eating to minimize the amount of food that would serve as substrate for the bacteria.

2. Flossing!We know, it’s a chore and alot of times forgetful after brushing if rushing out the door or heading to bed. However, flossing can help you remove food particles and other detrimental substances that brushing regularly cannot. Flossing allows you to reach deep between your teeth where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach or even mouthwash cannot wash away. We recommend flossing at least once a day.

3. Avoid TobaccoThis will be a big favor to your teeth. One, it will save you from oral cancer and periodontal complications. Two, it will save you from the countless ill effects caused by the agents used to mask the smell of tobacco. For example, if you smoke a cigarette, you may use candies, tea or coffee to mask the smoky breath and odor. This doubles the amount of damage caused.

4. Limit Sodas, Coffee and AlcoholAlthough these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body’s level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discoloured. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile and water which hydrates your body longer than sugary drinks.

5. Consume Calcium and other Vitamins that are good for the bodyYou need plenty of calcium for your teeth. It is essential for the teeth as well as your bones. It is better to drink milk, fortified orange juice and to eat yogurt, broccoli, cheese, and other dairy products. You can also take a calcium supplement, taking different doses according to your age and necessity as per prescription. Calcium and Vitamin D are necessary for maintaining the health of gums and teeth. Vitamin B complex is also essential for the protection of gums and teeth from cracking and bleeding. Copper, zinc, iodine, iron and potassium are also required for maintaining healthy dental hygiene.

6. Visit Your DentistYou should visit your dentist at least twice a year to have a full hygiene treatment performed. Also at these appointments, a comprehensive exam is taken with x-rays to help detect and prevent future dental treatments from occurring.

7. Use Mouthwash alongside brushing and flossingMouthwash is not particularly necessary and not all mouthwashes are useful. Mouthwashes containing Listerine our chlorine dioxide are very helpful because they help to kill and maintain the bacteria in your mouth. It can help maintain good breath as well as help maintain strong teeth. Mouthwash cannot do all the work but if your are already brushing, flossing, visiting the dentist and eating well, mouthwash is the cherry on top that will make your dental health great.

8. Having a toothache or noticing other dental symptomsIf you are having tooth and jaw pain make an appointment as soon as possible. Your dentist needs to diagnose the underlying cause and correct it before it turns into a greater problem.

9. Look at the Big PictureEveryone understands that you should take care of your teeth to avoid toothaches, maintain your looks and keep dental bills at bay. Many people, however, don’t understand how crucial oral health is to our total health picture. Tooth problems can lead to diabetes, heart disease, systemic infections, an inability to eat or speak properly and other maladies – some life-threatening. Crooked or crowded teeth can contribute to gum disease that can eventually lead to tooth loss. Straight teeth are no longer just for looks.

10. Clean your tongueClean the surface of your tongue daily. By using a professional tongue cleaner you remove countless bacteria that otherwise live, particularly on the rougher top surface of your tongue. These can contribute to bad breath (halitosis) and negatively affect your dental health.

If it’s been a while since your last dental appointment, then we suggest you get in touch to make a booking to get back on track. Our friendly and experienced team at Smilecare is here to help.